Zoysia matrella plant named ‘BP7’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Zoysia matrella  plant named ‘BP7’, characterized by the combination of a prostrate growth habit, deep green foliage color, fine foliage texture and improved lateral growth vigor; characteristics which translate to a turf grass with highly aesthetic color and texture that is fast to establish, exhibits improved environmental tolerances, and can be maintained at a low mowing height.

Latin name of genus and species of plant claimed: The Latin name of thegenus and species of the novel variety disclosed herein is Zoysiamatrella.

Variety denomination: The novel variety of Zoysia matrella disclosedherein has been given the variety denomination ‘BP7’.

REFERENCES CITED U.S. Patent Documents

U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,529, January 1989, Pursley

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct perennial variety ofZoysia matrella, which has been given the variety denomination of ‘BP7’.Its market class is that of a turf grass. ‘BP7’ is intended for use as alawn grass in gardening, landscaping, sports fields and amenityhorticulture.

Parentage: The new Zoysia matrella cultivar is the result of a selectionprocess originating as a spontaneous naturally occuring whole platemutation that was discovered in a controlled, non-irrigated and shadedplanting of Zoysia matrella (unpatented and unnamed) in Martin County,Fla., USA. The spontaneous mutation exhibited deep green foliage color,fine foliage texture, a prostrate growth habit and improved shadetolerance. Stolons of said spontaneous mutation were collected in Augustof 2010 for further evaluation and the confirmation of the distinctivecharacteristics observed in the field. Said stolons were planted intomultiple nursery pots, using typical nursery production procedure at theInventor's commercial turf grass farm in Martin County, Fla. Theresultant nursery pots were observed from August of 2010 until April of2011 at which point one nursery pot was selected as an exemplaryspecimen to the originally observed characteristics. Additionally, theInventor observed that said specimen also exhibited improved droughttolerance, improved plant growth vigor and low seed head production. Thenew cultivar was given the designation of ‘BP7’.

Asexual Reproduction: ‘BP7’ was first asexually propagated by cuttingand division of stolons and rhizomes in April of 2011 in Martin Country,Fla. ‘BP7’ has since been further asexually propagated by means ofcutting and division of stolons and rhizomes. The distinctivecharacteristics of the variety have remained stable and true to typethrough successive cycles of asexual propagation. Typical time todevelop roots is similar to that of other Zoysia grasses; approximately2 to 4 weeks and an average crop time to produce an initial mature andmarketable stand of turf grass sod is approximately 8 to 12 months.Precise timing varies depending on fertilizer and water inputs as wellas geographical location.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A new and distinct cultivar of Zoysia matrella plant named ‘BP7’,characterized by the combination of a prostrate growth habit, deep greenfoliage color, fine foliage texture and improved lateral growth vigor;characteristics which are of commercial value. The deep green foliage of‘BP7’ is not only aesthetically appealing but the high concentration ofchlorophyll which gives the foliage said deep green color alsotranslates to greater efficiency of photosynthesis in lower lightlevels; i.e. improved shade tolerance. The prostrate growth habit andheavy branching at the nodes translates to a short and dense turf,capable of being maintained at a height of 1/16 in. (one sixteenth of aninch). The same said characteristics also means that ‘BP7’ is fast toestablish, quick to recover from injury and also tolerant of heavy footand machinery traffic; i.e. improved wear tolerance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPHS

FIG. 1 illustrates, as nearly true as it is reasonably possible to makethe same in color illustrations of this type, typical foliage and growthcharacteristics of the new cultivar. Colors in the photographs differslightly from the color values cited in the detailed description, whichaccurately describes the colors of ‘BP7’.

FIG. 2 illustrates the short culm length of ‘BP7’.

FIG. 3 illustrates the heavy branching at stolon nodes of ‘BP7’.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The following is a detailed botanical description of a new and distinctvariety of a Zoysia matrella turf grass plant known as ‘BP7’. Plantobservations were made on plants grown in Mt. Pleasant, S.C., USA.Unless indicated otherwise, the descriptions disclosed herein are basedupon observations made in July 2011 of mature ‘BP7’ plants grown in 3gallon nursery pots filled with soilless potting media, maintained withgranular slow release fertilizer in an outdoor growing area andregularly watered with overhead irrigation. No pest and disease measureswere taken. Daytime temperatures ranged from approximately 80° F. to105° F. and night temperatures ranged from approximately 55° F. to 75°F. Plants were trimmed once, at two weeks after initial planting, andthen grown for an additional 6 weeks before assessment.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that certain characteristicswill vary with older or, conversely, younger plants. ‘BP7’ has not beenobserved under all possible environmental conditions. Where dimensions,sizes, colors and other characteristics are given, it is to beunderstood that such characteristics are approximations or averages setforth as accurately as practicable. The phenotype of the variety mayvary with variations in the environment such as season, temperature,light quality, light intensity, day length, cultural conditions and thelike. Color notations are based on The Royal Horticultural Society ColorChart, of The Royal Horticultural Society, London, 1986 edition.

Technical Description of the Variety.

-   Plant description:    -   -   Growth habit.—Perennial plant with a prostrate growth habit            forming a tight mat of stolons which root adventitiously on            the ground surface and branch heavily at the stolon nodes.            Culms are prostrate, becoming decumbent when flowering. Root            system is typical for that of Zoysia grass species; a            network or rhizomes and fibrous feeder roots.        -   Height.—Measured from soil level, the canopy of ‘BP7’            exhibits a general approximate height of 4 cm with the            tallest blades reaching 6 cm above soil level.        -   Growth rate.—Moderate to vigorous.        -   Stolon length.—Longest observed stolon is 16 cm.        -   Stolon width.—Approximately 1 mm.        -   Stolon color (adaxial).—Juvenile: Yellow-Green 146B; mature:            Grayed Orange 176A.        -   Stolon color (abaxial).—Juvenile: Yellow-Green 146B; mature:            Yellow-Green 144C.        -   Stolon internode length.—20 to 24 mm on mature stolons.-   Foliage:    -   -   Attachment.—Cauline.        -   Culm attitude.—Prostrate to semi-decumbent when flowering.        -   Culm length.—Ranging from 4 to 7 cm from stolon node to            apex.        -   Culm internode length.—Ranging from 2 to 10 mm.        -   Length of blade.—Mature blades are an average of 60 mm.        -   Width of blade.—1.5 mm on average.        -   Shape of blade.—Linear.        -   Leaf shape; apex.—Acute.        -   Leaf aspect.—Concave.        -   Margin.—Entire.        -   Texture of top surface.—Glabrous.        -   Texture of bottom surface.—Glabrous.        -   Leaf color (adaxial surface).—Juvenile: 138A; mature: 139A.        -   Leaf color (abaxial surface).—Juvenile: 138B; mature: 138B.        -   Venation: Type.—Parallel.        -   Venation color.—Indistinguishable.        -   Leaf sheath.—Glabrous, ranging from 6 to 8 mm long. Color            approximates to Green 138B.        -   Collar.—Minute, less than 1 mm, and constricted. Color            approximates to Yellow-Green 145C.        -   Ligule.—Indistinguishable.-   Flower:    -   -   Natural flowering season.—Spring to fall; in Northern            hemisphere, April to November.        -   Inflorescence type and habit.—Spikelet.        -   Total inflorescence size.—18 mm long by 1.5 mm wide.        -   Quantity of inflorescences.—Less than the species; fewer            than 10 per square foot.        -   Quantity of florets per spike.—14 to 16 florets.        -   Color of florets.—The immature lemmas are Yellow-Green (RHS            147B) and mature to a Grayed-Purple corresponding to 187A.        -   Dimensions of florets.—Approximately 2.5 mm long and less            than 1 mm wide.        -   Glumes:—Absent.        -   Awns.—Absent.        -   Rachilla.—Curved; approximately 2.5 mm in length; width is            minute; color is closest to Green 138B.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Not observed.        -   Style.—Not observed in most grass, including ‘BP7’.        -   Stigma.—Featherlike; length is approximately 1 mm; wide is            minute; color is Yellow-Green 154D.        -   Ovary.—Not observed.-   Seeds and fruits: Not observed.-   Environmental tolerances:    -   -   Disease/pest resistance.—Neither tolerance nor resistance to            normal diseases and pests of Zoysia matrella has been            observed.        -   Temperature tolerance.—Zoysia matrella is known to tolerate            temperatures from approximately 15 degrees F. to at least            115 degrees F.        -   Drought tolerance.—Like other Zoysia species, ‘BP7’ exhibits            good drought tolerance relative to other Genus of warm            season grasses such as Stenotaphrum sp. Furthermore, ‘BP7’            has been observed to have improved drought tolerance by            comparison with the closest comparator known to the breeder,            Zoysia ‘P-1’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,529).        -   Soil tolerances.—Tolerant of most soil types; from sandy            loam to loamy clay.

Comparison of ‘BP7’ with Other Varieties of Zoysia matrella

The closest known variety to ‘BP7’ is Zoysia matrella ‘P-1’. Bothvarieties are noted for dark green color, low growth habit, improvedvigor and improved tolerances to certain environmental factors comparedto the species. However, certain differences in the above notedcharacteristics distinguish ‘BP7’ as a novel and useful turf grass.

Both ‘BP7’ and ‘P-1’ are noted for deep green foliage color. However,‘BP7’ is a deeper shade of green corresponding to RHS Green 139A whereasthe foliage of ‘P-1’ corresponds to approximately RHS Green 137A orGreen 137B (Yellowish Green No. 137 on the ISCC-NBS Centroid ColorChart).

Both ‘BP7’ and ‘P-1’ are noted for possessing a fine foliage texture.However, by using the length-to-width ratio of the lamina as a metric,the finer texture of ‘BP7’ can be quantified. The length to width ratioof ‘BP7’ is 40.0 (with an average length of 60.0 mm and average width of1.5 mm) whereas the calculated ratio for ‘P-1’ is 33.3 (average lengthof 50.0 mm and width of 1.5 mm). Furthermore, when observing a crosssection of the lamina of ‘BP7’ the aspect is concave whereas ‘P-1’ isflat. This concave aspect adds to the fine textured appearance of ‘BP7’.

Both ‘BP7’ and ‘P-1’ are noted for a low growth habit. However, theshorter culm length and prostrate culm attitude of ‘BP7’ translates to alower overall turf height capable of a mowing height as low as 1/16 in.(one sixteenth of an inch). ‘BP7’ has a mature culm length that rangesfrom 4 to 7 cm whereas the culm length of ‘P-1’ is 9 to 11 cm long. Theculm attitude of ‘BP7’ is prostrate to semi-decumbent whereas the culmattitude of ‘P-1’ is decumbent.

Both ‘BP7’ and ‘P-1’ are noted for exhibiting vigorous growth. Onemetric used for quantifying lateral growth vigor is the ultimate lengthof the farthest reaching, mature stolons. The internode length of saidstolons on ‘BP7’ is 20 to 24 mm whereas the internode length of saidstolons on ‘P-1’ is 14 to 18 mm.

That which is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Zoysiamatrella plant named ‘BP7’, substantially as described and illustratedherein.